Jacques Martin weighs in

Martin joined fellow former (and fired) coaches Guy Carbonneau, Mario Tremblay and Michel Therrien to chew over the departure of the Canadiens’ general manager.

Martin said the current roster is “better than we think”.

While P.J. Stock predictably characterized the Canadiens as “a team in trouble”, Martin listed the Canadiens’ core assets: Carey Price in goal, P.K. Subban and Josh Gorges on defence, the David Desharnais forward line … i.e. the six guys who start every game for Martin’s successor, Randy Cunneyworth.

Martin also mentioned a healthy Andrei Markov, Rapahel Diaz and Alexei Emelin, a line of Tomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta and a new winger and promising youngsters in Lars Eller and Louis Leblanc.

“The team has to add pieces,” Martin concluded. “But the key elements are in place.”

Martin, who was general manager of the Florida Panthers before Bob Gainey lured him north to coach the Canadiens, also suggested he’d like to be interviewed by Serge Savard for the vacant GM’s position. He thinks a new GM should be in place a month before the June 22 draft.